Members Harbour
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14 Likes
Sea Commander
Originally built in the late 1950's by my dad, and rescued from his attic 22 years ago, it had major delamination problems, a seized propshaft, no rc kit only an ancient Taycol Supermarine motor which was ready for the scrap bin, but Doug in Munich offered to resurrect it, and I was actually amazed at how efficient it is now its refitted along with the special Doug converter box.
25amp water cooled esc, flysky 6 channel rx. All ppowered by the 12 volt 7amp hour battery.
Colin H
2 years ago
9 Attributes
2 Photos
6 Likes
My first boat.
This little pond yacht was a 5th birthday present from my grandad in March 1954. Sailed regularly and is great fun. No control only luck and the wind.
In the 67 years I have owned it has had three sets of sails and been repainted only once.
Colin H
2 years ago
2 Attributes
4 Photos
8 Likes
Dart Belle Paddle Steamer.
Model acquired from the builder in 2017, he originally scratch built it in the 1960's. It performs quite nicely and is steered with independent paddle drive as well as rudder. Uses a 6volt sla battery.
Colin H
2 years ago
8 Attributes
1 Photo
3 Likes
Academy Kingfisher
This boat was given to me by a bird watcher who saw me sailing another of my boats on local private lake. He said he built from a kit in 1970. It came with a McGregor RC System included in its original box.
Colin H
2 years ago
11 Attributes
3 Photos
3 Likes
Westeriffe
Bought from another modeller on this site, built to a very good standard. Working lights, Fire fighting water canon. Powered by Robbe Power 1000 Motor.
Colin H
2 years ago
11 Attributes
6 Photos
13 Likes
(Tug Boat) VALIANT
This tug was built by a modeler in Bristol during the early 1960's it was given to me at the Abergavenny Steam and vintage show in 2016 by the makers grandson who told me it had been on display in his mums house from 1970 when his grandad died till 1987 when she died then put in his parents attic till it was given to me. it had a couple of holes in the hull and the upper works had been broken so required fixing. not having any pictures I used all the original bits that came with it so I hope it looks as it should. it's made mostly from balsa with some wooden bits and replacement planking from coffee stirrers otherwise all original. it requires 2 x 12v 7ah lead acid batteries and about 5 kilograms of ballast. (Silver Sand in 500grm packs).
On the only test run I've managed to tow a 16 foot fishing boat with three men on my local fishing lake. (Motor: geared 540) (ESC: 20amp MTroniks Viper marine) (8/10)
Colin H
6 years ago
0 Attributes
4 Photos
5 Likes
(Tug Boat) Emanuel
Built in 1954 by my Grandad. Construction is Bread and Butter in Balsa originally a free sail model but now converted to RC. 27mhz.was given to me on my 5th birthday. Not sailed for over 25 years, but now happy sailing for short runs as prop shaft leaks slightly. (ESC: Mtronics Viper Marine 20amp) (8/10)
Colin H
6 years ago
9 Attributes
1 Photo
2 Likes
(Other) project X
Given as project, no known details of origins as yet. (Motor: Ripmax) (ESC: Viper Marine) (5/10)
Colin H
10 years ago
7 Attributes
1 Photo
1 Like
(Working Vessel) Rust Bucket
This is my latest restoration project. its built completely of metal and is in a terrible condition although the hull seems to be water tight.
The motor and prop-shaft and prop is listed in a BASSETT LOWKE catalogue dating from 1936, so the boat age is unknown but my guess would be late 30's to 1950. All guesses acknowledged. (Motor: BASSETT LOWKE) (5/10)
Colin H
12 years ago
4 Attributes
1 Photo
7 Likes
(Pleasure Craft) FAIREY HUNTSMAN (KATHY'S CLOWN)
Just rescued from ebay seller who had it in storage since he inherited it in 1976, it was Fairey Huntsman, scratch built sometime in early 60's by his father who used to sail it near Manchester. its fitted with a SANWA 2F-2M RC system which seems to be still functioning. I will be doing restoration over the next few months, as there are a few cracks showing along most of the seems and I will need to sand and seal and repaint. (Motor: Marx) (ESC: Speed King) (5/10)
Colin H
12 years ago
7 Attributes
4 Photos
4 Likes
(Pleasure Craft) sea scout
This boat was one of my dads from the late 1950's.
It's an aerokits sea scout. Now fitted with a MabuchI motor of unknown power, but undergoing test running with 6 Volts, seem more than adequate, Belt drive to propshaft. (Motor: Mabuchi) (5/10)
Colin H
12 years ago
6 Attributes
10 Photos
17 Likes
(Pleasure Craft) MV Caroline
This model is a scratch built 1/15th scale model of an Ocean going pleasure craft built in 1964 by my late father. it was originally powered by a large bosch windscreen wiper motor, but has been replaced with an MFA RE 800 stock motor running from 2 x 12V sla batteries. Dry weight 13.2 Kilos. Last sailed in 1992 on open sea at Aberystwyth, I was on my dads fishing boat watching as dad sailed her the full length of the south beach and back into the harbour. Now ready to relaunch on Saturday 10th June 2017 at WMBC open day. (Motor: MFA . RE800) (ESC: Fusion Aquapower AQP128) (9/10)
Colin H
12 years ago
12 Attributes
4 Photos
9 Likes
(Fire Boat) Mk2 firefloat 93
This boat was originally built with my dad's help (mostly him), in about 1959/60 my first powered model and originally had a small diesel engine (E.D.I Think.)And no radio gear. But now fitted with electric motor and radio gear with working monitors and lights.hope to finish restoration in time for spring launch. (Motor: Mannesmann Clash21 ) (ESC: Mtronics sport tuned 20) (8/10)
Colin H
12 years ago
9 Attributes
Members Blogs
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Fairey Swordsman restoration.
HI fellow enthusiasts, am working on my wife's model at present, It was obtained from the original builder who had built It In 1964 from a kit but he couldn't remember the maker.
It Is 34.5 Inches long, and was originally fitted with a Sterling 60 glow plug engine, now removed. the boat has now been totally stripped back to bare wood and re sealed, filled, and glass cloth with resin coated.
That's It up to now, will update as work progresses. please feel free to comment or advise me of any errors I make.
Colin H
11 years ago
Recent Posts
๐ HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MANY HAPPY RETURNS :-)
11 hours ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Happy birthday young shipmate, have a dram or two, cheers Colin.
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๐ Servos going crazy
2 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Andy that's a very tidy setup which looks quite accessible.
And your Varnish deck is fantastic, how many coats to achieve that beautiful finish.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Sloop Emma
3 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Girl power all the way shipmate. Cheers Colin.
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๐ Question of the Day?
7 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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I always use epoxy 2 pack for my restoration work, but waterproof wood glue on new builds.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Convention for displaying a model Boat
8 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Just for those keeping tabs on my discussion with Chris, check out the glory days of Fairey Marine.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Convention for displaying a model Boat
8 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Well Chris I think that we both understand.
I have been lucky enough to sail in both with my family back in the late sixty's. Dad was a marine tester for Avon and Metzler RIB's and we often had fairey's to use live aboard for a week or two, Especially for Cows weeks or the boat shows.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Convention for displaying a model Boat
8 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Oh dear, Chris I have both the Huntsman 31 and the Swordsman 33, both 1/12th scale, they are almost identical except for the length.
When I get them ready for my next show I will put them side by side and post a picture on here.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Convention for displaying a model Boat
8 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Here in the UK people tend to walk round the marquees in a clockwise direction so the majority of my displays face bow facing to the left.
But when I display outdoors I try alternating them with opposing directions.
But to make the display interesting I also alternate between sail and power.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Convention for displaying a model Boat
9 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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๐ Lipo battery life
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Thanks Alessandro, I thought someone would know. I have managed to revive ancient sla, nicads and nimh. But have no experience of lipo's at all.
I have just been given 2 very good quality camera drones for spares or repairing.
1 had a broken wire, and the other has been left in an attic for 3 years but it works fine, I tested it with the battery from the 1st one.
So looks like I will have to buy some replacement batteries for that one.
This is a totally new venture for me, drones are good for photography and hopefully I will be able to get video footage when sailing boats. First I need to learn to fly them, I used to fly rc planes and helicopters, but drones seem a lot easier to control, with auto hover and pre-programable flight patterns with auto return to take off position.
I feel like a kid again, my only problem is I can't fly in my home garden as we live in a restricted air fly zone. I was testing in my garden when we were visited by the police to tell me not to fly.
So going to a friends farm at weekend to see how well they do.
Cheers Colin.
P.S. they are DJI phantom 3's.
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๐ Lipo battery life
12 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Can anyone tell me if it is possible to recharge lipo batteries that had been left for 3 years and are totally dead.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ No emails
13 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Thanks Stephen, got 2 today.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ No emails
13 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Same here guys, no email notifications.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ฌ Re: Rigging
19 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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That's super modelling shipmate, you have a good eye for a realistic way to overcome a poorly made method of attachment.
I commend your beautiful work and outstanding quality of finish.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ฌ Re: Vivacity Cabin Cruiser Roxanne no 3
23 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Been there and done exactly the same launching my Caroline. Full audience as it was club open day, both times.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Boat colors
27 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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That looks to be right you could put a matt or semi matt lacquer over it to give a tough surface.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Boat colors
27 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Original colour red lead oxide.
Look for auto/car rattle can primer I believe Halfords has a can to suit.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ LEDs
27 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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We all make mistakes, that's how we learn.
The man who never made a mistake never made anything.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Mystery boat
29 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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That's a lot of ballast you will need to add, and also lose valuable run time.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Mystery boat
30 days ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Could the pressure switches controlled by the orange cam unit be to fire the torpedoes.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ New Boat
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Herman, good afternoon, sadly I am not able to use any of my ic engines for sailing due to them being banned almost everywhere in the UK.
But I keep them for my vintage display at various vintage shows.
So, until I win the lottery, when I will buy a lake just to sail my vintage boats, then when I'm gone my grandson will own my collection.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ New Boat
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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๐ Servos going crazy
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Photos of your setup would have helped a great deal, and still would be very interesting.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Servos going crazy
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Roy, still have my FLEET SYSTEMS setup complete in original box from 1972. Transmitter, reciever and 4 servos.
Good solid bit of kit that still works, now only used for display at vintage shows.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Post Cards
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Don't forget the tea cards as well, as a kid many moons ago I collected tea cards as well as cigarette cards. I am sorry to say that my collections were lost in a house fire in 1972 due to a firework going through an open window while the family were at an organised event in Leicester, Abbey Park.
Oh well we live on with our memories, cheers Colin.
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๐ Servos going crazy
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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AndyN. That's a lovely old reciever, it's like a lot of my vintage ones from the 1970's and 80's. But if using with an esc that has 3 wires to the reciever, then either remove the red power wire from that set and plug your reciever battery onto the battery socket.
If only using one battery to power everything then ignore the battery socket. Most ESC's give 5 or 6 volts but check the output voltage.
Hope this helps you, cheers Colin.
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๐ Servos going crazy
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Andy, if you have dedicated battery supply to esc and another to rx you must remove the red wire from the esc to rx as you will still be pushing extra power to the reciever.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Orca and Jaws the chase, cought on video.
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
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Brilliant, thanks for your entertaining modelling shared with us all.
Well done shipmate, cheers Colin.
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๐ Radio signal ???
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Alessandro I was thinking the same 433mhz, but he showed me the instruction booklet. It was only fitted 7 weeks ago and is connected via WiFi so he can operate from his phone or tablet as well as the remotes.
He is waiting for the installer to visit on Friday so they can test the system and recalibrate it.
So hopefully it shouldn't happen again after that .
Still I am interested in learning what has caused the issue.
Cheers Colin.
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๐ Radio signal ???
1 month ago by
๐ฌ๐ง Colin H (
Fleet Admiral)
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Distance from my bedroom where I was doing my testing is approximately 280ydsto the neighbours garage.
Channel 1 operating left-hand door, Channel 3 operating right hand door.
Cheers Colin.
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